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conclusion:We're mixed

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June 19th 2014 12:47 pm

With the FinePix S1, Fuji built a weather-resistant camera that you can take anywhere. Unfortunately, its mediocre image quality means you probably won't want to.

While CNET says you shouldn't "expect to go diving with it," they also note that the S1 can "handle standing in the rain and snow, as well as dusty environments, without a problem," and Photography Blog notes it "should withstand most things that you subject it to." The S1's speed is also very promising, with Digital Versus finding it "surprisingly speedy" and Neocamera says it's "one of the fastest ultra-zooms to date."

Despite having all the ingredients for solid on-the-go performance, the FinePix S1 falters in the one area that matters most, with image quality that is "simply too noisy at ISO 800 and above," according to Photography Blog, and Macworld says it "falls short of DSLR quality." However, users willing to make the sacrifice will at least find the S1's price more agreeable than many weather-resistant DSLR and mirrorless interchangeable lens shooters.

Combining below average image-quality with fast speed creates an unusual dilemma. For those who need travel memories and shoot in generally good light for web use or small prints, this ultra-zoom is worth considering.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is an impressive do-it-all camera that will satisfy a lot of people's needs, although the more discerning pixel-peepers may be disappointed by the high levels of noise at low ISO speeds.

So... weather sealing to keep your camera safe from dust and rain is the standout feature of the Fuji S1, but there are also quite a few other features that make this an interesting camera, and one that stands out from the bridge camera crowd.

The S1 will be going up against low-end mirrorless and DSLR cameras that will feel better and more "professional" to camera shoppers. And, if we're being brutally honest, just about any interchangeable camera at this price point is built way better than the S1 is.